Materials handling pallet



United States Patent Stanley J Jurasek Albion, Michigan Nov. 15, 1967 Nov. 10, 1970 Union Steel Products Company Abion, Michigan a corporation of Michigan Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MATERIALS HANDLING PALLET 11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

Int. Cl 865d 19/20 Field of Search References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2/ l 934 Quisenberry 1l/1947 Arthur 2,463,589 3/1949 Arthur 108/58 2,471,095 5/1949 Coit 108/53X 2,492,626 12/ 1 949 Fletcher 108/58 2,513,452 7/1950 Coit l08/53X 2,530,752 11/1950 Arthur..... 108/53 2,605,070 7/1952 Fletcher 108/51 2,733,884 2/1956 Averill..... l08/53X 2,809,796 10/1957 Averill 108/53 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch Att0rneyBarnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate ABSTRACT: The materials handling pallet disclosed herein comprises spaced platform assemblies connected by spacer elements. Each platform assembly comprises a grid-like mat of wires interposed between frame members of heavier gauged metal rod. The spacer elements are made of sheet metal and comprise parallel wall portions connected by longitudinal wall portions, the parallel transverse wall portions having notches therein for receiving the frame members.

Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,538,861

Sheet 1 of 3 7 17a. 1a 17 I Flt. I

,, rail INVENTOR. STANLEY J. JURASEK ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,538,861

Sheet 2 of 3 IS 170. I[14. 4 E a INVENTORY. STANLEY J. JURASEK ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1970 Sheet 3 of 3 INVENTOR. STANLEY J. JURASEK ATTORNEYS 1 Mil.

I I ill I MATERIALS HANDLING PALLET This invention relates to materials handling pallets.

One type of warehouse or materials handling pallets presently used is made of wood or similar non-metallic material. Such pallets are usually damaged by liquids and chemicals, subject to vermin infestation and are difficult to wash or clean. They have a further disadvantage in that they form a fire hazard and are easily broken or damaged in use. It has heretofore been suggested that metal pallets be used but prior to the present invention such pallets have been too heavy, too costly, and have been difficult to stack for storage or shipment.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a materials handling pallet which has relatively smooth faces and does not have projecting legs which might damage the products or packages stored thereon; which is made of relatively thin wire or metal; which has strong peripheral frames; which will not only support the loads but will withstand shock and load; which can be made readily on general purpose machinery permitting fabrication by mass production methods and at low fabrication cost; which can be readily stacked for safe secure, storage and shipment and which can be readily adapted to include simple fencing for preventing products stacked thereon from sliding.

Among the further objects of the invention is to provide a materials handling pallet which is adapted for use with fork-lift trucks which is strong but light in weight, which is made entirely of metal formed into an integral structure mutually braced and supporting loading surfaces, and which can be readily cleaned.

In the drawing;

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a materials handling pallet embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a materials handling pallet embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the pallet shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the pallet.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the material handling pallet 10 embodying the invention comprises spaced metal platform assemblies 11 interconnected by metal corner spacer elements 12 and metal side spacer elements 13.

Each platform assembly 11 comprises a grid-like mat 14 made of longitudinally extending wires 15 and transverse wires 16 which are welded to one another. The grid-like mat 14 is surrounded by a frame made of wire rod shown as consisting of two pairs of U-shaped frame members 17a and 17b. The ends 170 of each outer pair of frame members 17a are spaced from one another adjacent one diametrically opposed pair of side spacer elements 13 while the ends 17d of each inner pair of frame members 17b are spaced from one another adjacent the other diametrically opposed pair of frame members 13. The free ends of the wires 15, 16 of the mat 14 are received between the frame members 17 and are welded thereto as shown in FIG. 3. Each platform assembly 11 further includes a reinforcing rod 18 of heavier gauge extending between and welded to one pair of the opposed spacer elements 13. A plurality of reinforcing wires 19 extend transversely of the rod 18 between the frame members 17 on the side of the rod 18 opposite the mat 14 (FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the corner spaced elements 12 are bent from a single sheet of metal and comprise spaced transversely extending walls 20, 21 connected by a longitudinally extending wall 22 and an interconnecting wall 23. Each of the walls 20, 21 has a vertical notch 24 therein for defining a space for receiving the innermost frame members 17. The frame members 17 are welded to the spacer elements 12 to provide a rigid structure. The walls 22 extend along the outermost frame members 17.

The side spacer elements 13 are similarly constructed of sheet metal as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and comprise spaced walls 25, 26 connected by longitudinally extending walls 27 and an interconnecting wall 28. The ends of the walls 25, 26 are similarly cut away to form notches 29 for receiving the innermost frame members 17. The walls 27 extend along the outermost frame members 17.

By the aforementioned arrangement, mutual bracing of the loading platforms 11 defined by the mats is provided so that the resultant pallet has smooth load receiving surfaces which are light in weight and easily cleaned. Although it is preferred that the mat 14 in the upper and lower platform assemblies have the wires in overlying relationship for simplicity of assembly and construction, other arrangements of the wires can be readily made so that there is no direct open space between the platforms if that is required. Since the mats are made of relatively lightweight wire and are provided in a sandwich between the heavier wire and the peripheral frame members of each platform assembly, a strong lightweight construction is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spacing of the interconnecting wall 23 from the corner of the frames provides a pocket for receipt of a vertical post to facilitate stacking of pallets or for receipt of a peripheral fence for retaining products on the pallet.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the platform assembly 11' comprises peripherally continuous frame members 17' which extend through the side members 13. In this form of the invention, the ends of the reinforcing rod 18 are welded to the side members 13 as well as the innermost frame members 17'.

Iclaim:

1. A materials handling pallet comprising: spaced platform assemblies, each platform assembly comprising a grid-like mat and a peripheral frame surrounding said mat and fixed thereto, and peripherally spaced spacer elements joining and connected to the peripheral frames for maintaining the platform assemblies in spaced relation; said frame comprising spaced continuous peripheral frame members between which the ends of said mat extend and are fixed; each said spacer member comprising two pairs of transversely spaced walls having notches therein for receiving the frame members; each pair of said walls being connected by a longitudinally extend ing wall extending along opposed frame members, and a connecting portion between said adjacent walls of said pairs of walls; one of said spacer elements being at an area of said frame wherein portions of the frame form an angle with one another; said connecting portion of said last mentioned spacer member defining a post receiving opening with said frame member.

2. A warehouse pallet comprising: spaced platform assemblies, each platform assembly comprising a grid-like mat comprising a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced overlapping wires joined to one another and to said frame; a peripheral frame surrounding said mat, each said frame comprising spaced rod members between which the ends of said wires extend and to which the ends of said wires are fastened, and peripherally spaced spacer elements joining and connected to the peripheral frame for maintaining the platform assemblies in spaced relation; each said frame comprising two spaced pairs of rod frame members, each pair having their ends in spaced relation, one of said spacer members being provided and extending between the adjacent ends of said pairs of frame members; each said spacer member comprising two pairs of transversely spaced walls having notches therein for receiving the innermost frame members, each pair of said. walls being connected by a longitudinally extending wall extending along the frame members, and a connecting wall between said adjacent walls of said pairs of walls.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 including a reinforcing rod extending between the connecting walls of diametrically opposed spacer members at said ends of said frame members.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said spacer elements is at an area of said frame wherein portions of the frame form an angle with one another, said connecting portion of said last mentioned spacer member defining a post receiving opening with said frame member.

5. A materials handling pallet comprising: spaced platform assemblies; each platform assembly comprising a grid-like mat and a substantially continuous peripheral frame of heavier cross section than said mat surrounding said mat and fixed thereto, peripherally spaced spacer elements joining and connected to the peripheral frames for maintaining the platform assemblies in spaced relation, said grid-like mat comprising a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced overlapping wires joined to one another and to said frame; each said spacer member comprising two pairs of transversely spaced walls having notches therein for receiving the frame members, each pair of said walls being connected by a longitudinally extending wall extending along opposed frame members, and a connecting portion between said adjacent walls of said pairs of walls.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 including a reinforcing rod extending between diametrically opposed spacer elements at said ends of said frame members.

7. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said spacer elements is at an area of said frame wherein portions of the frame form an angle with one another, said connecting portion of said last mentioned spacer member defining a post receiving opening with said frame member.

8. A materials handling pallet comprising: spaced platform assemblies, each platform assembly comprising a grid-like mat and a substantially continuous peripheral frame of heavier cross section than said mat surrounding said mat and fixed thereto; peripherally spaced spacer elements joining and connected to the peripheral frames for maintaining the platform assemblies in spaced relation, said frame comprising spaced continuous peripheral frame members between which the ends of said mat extend and are fixed; each said spacer element comprising two pairs of transversely spaced walls having notches therein for receiving the frame members, each pair of said walls being connected by a longitudinally extending wall extending along opposed frame members, and a connecting portion between said adjacent walls of said pairs of walls.

9. A warehouse pallet comprising: spaced platform assemblies, each platform assembly comprising a grid-like mat comprising a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced overlapping wires joined to one another and to said frame, a substantially continuous peripheral frame surrounding said mat; each said frame comprising spaced rod members having a greater cross section than said wires between which the ends of said wires extend and to which the ends of said wires are fastened, peripherally spaced spacer elements joining and connected to the peripheral frames for maintaining the platform assemblies in spaced relation; each said frame comprising two pairs of peripherally continuous rod members; each said spacer element comprising two pairs of transversely spaced walls having notches therein for receiving the innermost frame members, each pair of said walls being connected by a longitudinally extending wall extending along the frame members, and a connecting wall between said adjacent walls of said pairs of walls.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 including a reinforcing rod extending between diametrically opposed spacer members.

ii. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein one of said spacer elements is at an area of said frame wherein portions of the frame form an angle with one another, said connecting portion of said last mentioned spacer member defining a post receiving opening with said frame member. 

